Non VAG content...My 2008 Subaru Liberty GT (Tuned by STI)

**Lucas_R** · 16-07-2020, 10:07 AM

Also replaced the AVCS (Active Valve Control System) solenoids last week after diagnosing that they were the cause of an intermittent stutter I would get occasionally when driving the car. The AVCS solenoids are known to go on these engines between 80,000-100,000km.

New genuine parts sourced from Amayama in Japan for approx than 1/3rd of the local price. (local quoted price $280 each, Amayama price $104 each). Only took and hour to replace and stutter is now gone.

**Transporter** · 16-07-2020, 01:06 PM

Great work mate.

**brad** · 17-07-2020, 10:22 AM

I had a Subaru (Gen 2 2.5 DOHC) before I went down the VW/Skoda path. I be hard pressed to go that way again.

**Lucas_R** · 17-07-2020, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Transporter

Great work mate.

Always need to have a job or two lined up in the garage to escape the wife and child when things get heated.

Originally Posted by brad

I had a Subaru (Gen 2 2.5 DOHC) before I went down the VW/Skoda path. I be hard pressed to go that way again.

Sorry to hear your experience wasn't great, but so far I am really enjoying the Suby. Its far more reliable than any of my 3x VAG cars have been, despite being much older, goes well, sounds good, is simple enough to work on, has a nice quality interior which is comfy and quiet etc. And I love the pillarless doors.

Cons are not as refined/well made, not great on fuel and there is always the possibility of headgasket issues etc.

My mate of mine years ago had a Gen 1 Liberty RS and I loved it, and ever since then I have wanted to own either the Gen 3 B4 or the Gen 4 GT. The B4 is plagued with issues (twin turbo) as they are just to complicated, so I went with a Gen 4.

It will do the job for a few years then I will move onto something else as I work my way through my list of attainable "dream" cars id like to own before im too old or dead.

**brad** · 17-07-2020, 12:16 PM

A few mates had the "Tuned by STI" and were very happy.
The Gen4 is a timeless design. It's all been down hill for Subaru since then.

Don't upgrade the rear sway bar unless you upgrade the mounts as well.
The body panels are ridiculously thin. They will dent if you breath on them.

B4 - what a bun fight. You couldn't tune the VOD between turbos out of them. Somebody at Subaru needs to learn about Venn Diagrams

**Lucas_R** · 17-07-2020, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by brad

A few mates had the "Tuned by STI" and were very happy.
The Gen4 is a timeless design. It's all been down hill for Subaru since then.

Agreed. I have always liked the Gen 4 and they still look nice. Great shape. All Subaru's since the mid/late 2000's have been so ugly with no style.

Originally Posted by brad

Don't upgrade the rear sway bar unless you upgrade the mounts as well.
The body panels are ridiculously thin. They will dent if you breath on them.

Yes I am aware of this. Funnily enough I am currently waiting for a Cusco rear sway bar and matching Cusco subframe reinforcing brackets, as I have heard the stock ones can break.

And yes, the body panels are thin (typical for Jap/Korean cars). The VAG cars in that respect are definitely more solid.

**Lucas_R** · 28-07-2020, 02:44 PM

Well that was a short affair with the Subaru. We had torrential rain over the weekend and my driveway, garage and backyard flooded late on Sunday afternoon and the Subaru was stuck inside the garage. I tried to move it to no avail - too little too late. Insurance are towing it away tomorrow but it will be a write off (water was inside up to just below the centre console and all of the electronics have gone haywire).

Thankfully I had enough time to get my wife's car out of the way and onto higher ground, so we still have use of that car.

House was thankfully not damaged so that's a huge bonus too.

Now to clean up the huge mess everywhere in the backyard, shed and garage........fun times.